Explanatory note

These Regulations amend, and correct minor errors in, regulations made under the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 as extensively amended by the Social Security Act 1980.

Regulation 2 corrects and amends the Supplementary Benefit (Deductions and Payments to Third Parties) Regulations 1980. It amends regulation 3 (which relates to payments direct from supplementary pension or allowance to landlords and fuel boards) so as to permit application of its provisions where the claimant's partner is in debt for a housing or fuel item and to provide that where the debt is for an account which is a composite one relating to more than one housing item only one amount shall be deducted. The regulation is also amended so as to align it with provisions for deductions from benefit made pursuant to sections 4 and 20 of the Act. Regulation 6 (payment of certain accommodation charges) is amended so as to provide for direct payment from pension or allowance of charges for board and lodging made by certain voluntary organisations.

Regulation 3 amends the Supplementary Benefit (Transitional) Regulations 1980 so as to take into account payment from a scheme under the Industrial Injuries and Diseases (Old Cases) Act 1975 in determining whether income has been reduced after the coming into operation of the amendments to the Act (when an addition will be paid to keep income at the same level).

Regulation 4 corrects and amends the Supplementary Benefit (Single Payments) Regulations 1980. In particular, regulation 3 is amended so as to provide further for the amounts payable where no actual costs are specified. Regulation 22 is amended so as to provide for payment in respect of travelling expenses on a resumption of work after an absence, as well as starting work, and to make clear that fares to and from work will be met. Regulation 24 is amended so that a single payment in respect of debts accrued during a temporary absence abroad is only payable where the claimant is a person entitled to a pension or allowance during (or for part of) that absence abroad. Regulation 27 is amended so as to provide that a single payment may be made for clothing needed on entry to a re-establishment course, as well as on admission to hospital, and to provide that the amounts payable are, except where inappropriate because of size or disability, to be the relevant amounts specified for the item of clothing or footwear in Schedule 2. Regulation 29 is amended so as to provide that where a prisoner who is the partner of a claimant is on leave at home with the claimant preparatory to his release the single payment for his requirements is to be, for each day, the difference between the ordinary rate for normal requirements of couples and the rate applicable to the claimant.

Regulation 5 corrects the Supplementary Benefit (Duplication and Overpayment) Regulations 1980 so as to provide that for persons over age 18 to whom the table in Schedule 1 to the Act does not apply the higher maximum deduction may be made for the purposes of recovery under section 20 only if the long-term rate is applicable.